CAD/CAM for Tormach PCNC Mills

Transcription

1 CAD/CAM for Tormach PCNC Mills Suggestions for success to CAD/CAM Novices Background Choosing the right design software to work with the PCNC, or any CNC system, can be confusing, especially if you re new these types of systems. There are lots of options out there. Are some better than others? Undoubtedly. But determining which is right for your needs depends on a number of factors the type of machining that you want to do, your budget, your patience, etc. Here are a few thoughts to help you make an informed decision. CNC Software 101 To understand CAD and CAM, it helps to understand the roles they play in the CNC process. CNC mills like the Tormach PCNCs use a controller to translate G-code into the tool path motion that ultimately makes your machined part. The standard controller option with Tormach PCNCs is Mach3, a PC-based control program developed by ArtSoft. Another option available is EMC2, an open-source Ubuntu Linux based control program. G-code is relatively simple to understand with a little bit of practice, and many times a few simple lines of G-code hand-typed in to the Control Software interface is enough to get a small job done. This is called MDI, or Manual Data Input. Mach3 also comes with wizards little programs that can help you easily generate code for more advanced movements right at the machine. Wizards are available for pocketing, text engraving, thread milling, and many other simple jobs. However, it should be apparent that many machined parts even those that look relatively simple require 1000s of lines of code to machine. It s an impractical, and not to mention error-prone task to hand-code these parts. To program these parts, CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) systems are needed. CAD is the software tool used to design your part. Whether you draft a simple line drawing or build a complex 3D solid model, CAD is where virtual pen is put to virtual paper and serves as the platform for animation, simulation, or in our case, CAM.

2 CAM generates machining tool-paths based on your instructions. For example: cut this pocket with a ½ end mill, or, drill this hole with a 5/16 drill. You tell it A) what to cut, B) what tool to use, and C) how to cut it, and it does the math for you. CAM assembles a series of these commands into a single set of machining instructions, called a part program. It then converts the part program to G-code that the machine controller can understand with a postprocessor basically a translator that allows the CAM program to speak to your specific machine in a meaningful way. Most CAM packages come pre-loaded with a library of post processors. Sometimes, you ll have to write your own, but almost all CAM programs have a utility to do this with. A Brief Word on Postprocessors A postprocessor is the translator that converts the language of your CAM software to G-code that your CNC machine can understand. CAM systems will often come preloaded with a library of postprocessors for common CNC machines. If your CAM doesn t have the postprocessor that you need, you will either need to create it or find a suitable substitute. Once you have loaded G-code on the controller, you re ready to cut. Choosing a CAD/CAM System The following are some suggestions for comparing different CAD/CAM systems to help you get started choosing which one is best for you. Ease of Use: Some CAD and CAM systems are easy to use. Some others are not. Almost all CAD/CAM companies offer free trial versions of the software to demo. Make sure to take them up on this. It s a great way to find out A) if the software can do what you want it to do, and B) if you ll still have any hair left after using it. And remember - while there are plenty of free demos, there are usually no refunds. Due diligence applies. The Tormach PCNC will work with many generic 3-axis vertical mill postprocessors. For 4 th axis support, it s likely you will need a postprocessor specific to the PCNC. The Duality Lathe will work on many generic Lathe XY post processors. However - always verify an untested postprocessor for function before trusting it with expensive tooling or workpieces. Run your program in air before you cut to make sure it behaves like it should and debug if necessary. A specific postprocessor for the PCNC mills is included in many popular CAM packages. For CAM systems that don t have a preloaded PCNC postprocessor, check the internet. Somebody may have already created one they are willing to share. Otherwise, you ll need to make your own most CAM will come with a utility that allows you to do this. For information on G-code commands understood by the PCNC Control Software, refer to Chapter 7 of the Users manual. You ll need this information if you need to create your own postprocessor. Support: Lots of CAD/CAM software companies sell an optional support and maintenance contract at additional pricing. Details differ between companies, but these contracts generally last one year and can be renewed for each year after. Most offer some form of individualized consultation and troubleshooting, exclusive members-only tutorials and content, and bug-patches or version upgrades for the life of the contract. It s worth pointing out that working machine shops almost always buy the support contract. If timely production is important to you, it s worth considering. Audience: Different CAD/CAM is marketed to different audiences and may have unique features that make certain tasks easier. Take a minute to learn who the software is for. The same CAM that works great for mold making may not be the best choice for engraving jewelry. Ask around, and do a few web searches and find out what others in your interest group use.

3 User Community: Most CAD/CAM companies now sponsor forums message boards where users can meet and discuss issues with the software. These can be an incredibly useful resource when learning new software as well as a place to discuss problems, software bugs, etc. Chances are good that you might already find an answer to your questions in the forum discussion archives. Websites like also have independently run forums on many of the popular CAD/CAM software. We highly recommend visiting some of the forums before making a major software purchase as well as continuing to use them as a troubleshooting resource. Online Resources: Some CAD/CAM companies have free training videos, tutorials, etc. published online. Some require an optional membership to access these resources. Most fall somewhere in-between, with a combination of free and exclusive content. Extras: Many CAD programs will have part libraries that have premade models of common components like screws, nuts, bolts, etc. These can be helpful if you plan to do mechanical design. They may not be that useful if you are only using CAD to design parts for your CAM. Others offer different modules or plug-ins Sheet metal design, Finite Element Analysis, Graphic Renderer, etc. While a lot of this isn t helpful for CNC work, it might be valuable to you if plan to use your system for more than just machining. Product Levels: Many CAD/CAM systems offer different levels of the same system basic, professional, expert, etc. Understand what the differences are between the levels. You may not need all the options and extras. A lot of systems also let you pick and choose options or plug-ins. Education Discounts: Are you an educator? You re in luck. Lots of CAD/CAM companies offer education versions of the software at significant discounts. It s a great way to get top quality software for your school shop class or robotics team. Price: The old adage, You get what you pay for, generally holds true, but there are exceptions. You ll be able to sniff these out pretty quickly by visiting some of the independent internet forums like Finally also realize that for every top end software, there is a more budget-friendly competitor that may make more sense for hobby or small-business. While everyone would love to have state-of-the-art software, the cost of ownership can be prohibitive and the complexity and scope of features can take a long time to master. Take a step back and think about the your CAD/CAM goals before making a big purchase.

4 A Very Brief Overview of CAD CAD is ubiquitous in the design world today. Long gone are the days of AutoCAD being the sole choice for PCs. There are now lots of affordable options available that are more powerful than state-of-the-art systems from just a few years back. All of these can do 2D drafting, most can do some 3D modeling, and quite a few can produce very complex 3D models and assemblies. There are 2 types of CAD technology in wide use today: Parametric CAD and Free-Form 3D CAD Parametric CAD: A Parametric CAD program is most often the first choice for serious mechanical design. This is what the majority of working machine shops use. It s a concept that can be hard to explain, but once you understand it, it seems like common sense. Parametric CAD modelers like Alibre are widely used for mechanical design. Say, for example, that you re designing a part with a pattern of bolt holes. Consider one hole, and you ll find it is defined geometrically with a set of parameters - diameter, depth, thread depth, thread pitch, etc. With parametric CAD, you can easily make a change to a parameter and your model will update to reflect the change. Parametric CAD can also recognize that all the holes in the pattern are the really just copies of the same feature and update them all at the same time. It recognizes design intent. This makes it very effective when designing families of parts or when doing quick modifications or design edits. Examples include Alibre Design, Solid Edge, Solidworks, CATIA, Pro/ENGINEER, and many others A 3D free-form Surface modeler like Rhino can excel at art and aesthetic-driven design Free-Form 3D CAD: If you plan to design art, jewelry, etc., a CAD program with advanced Free-Form design options might be more appropriate. You ll be able to produce complex organic surfaces, although you ll probably sacrifice some of ease-of-use and speed that makes a parametric system so good at mechanical part design. Examples: Rhino, Autodesk Maya There are also loads of other basic CAD programs available. These aren t going to have many of the advanced modeling features that professional software have, but you ll still be able to do quite a bit. Just make sure adjust your ambitions accordingly. Examples: TurboCAD, AutoSketch, DoubleCAD, and many others.

5 When choosing a CAD system, keep in mind what your design goals are. There are lots of options out there if you only plan to use CAD occasionally for simple design work. More serious mechanical design will benefit greatly from a Parametric CAD program, and a 3D free-form modeler might be the best choice for aesthetic-driven design. Take a minute to see what others in your area of interest are using a couple quick internet searches should really help to narrow down the field. A Very Brief Overview of CAM As far as the CNC user is concerned, the differences between CAM systems are much more significant than they are with CAD. Not every CAM system can generate commands for every type of machine movement. CAM is often classified as 2D, 2.5D, or 3D systems. Before choosing, make sure you understand A simple 2.5D CAM tool path moves the tool in 2 axes. This Tool path was created with Vectric Cut2D. A) The capabilities of your CNC system B) The capabilities of the CAM system 2D CAM can command X and Y moves. It cannot command Z movement. The machine operator manually sets Z position. While you can still find specialized 2D CAM available, nowadays most general purpose CAM is at least 2.5D. Uses are routing, plate cutting, Engraving. 3D CAM can make contoured surfaces. This contoured finishing tool path is from SprutCAM7. 2.5D CAM can command X and Y moves. It can command Z moves, but not at the same time (simultaneously). It s suitable for producing terraced parts. Most 2.5D CAM can also do drilling. Uses are Fixtures and Jigs, Simple structural components, Face milling. 3D CAM can command X, Y, and Z movement simultaneously. It s capable of producing contoured surfaces. Uses are Complex 3D surface contouring, Mold making. 3D CAM systems, in particular, can vary widely in features and function. More advanced 3D CAM features include:

6 4 th Axis: Some 3D CAM doesn t support 4 th Axis motion. Some 3D CAM only supports 4 th Axis indexing that is the 4 th axis cannot move simultaneously with XYZ movement. Simultaneous 4 th axis movement can command rotation on the turntable at the same time as XYZ movement. Lathe Module: Not all CAM can do Lathe programming. If you plan to do CNC lathe work, make sure your CAM has a lathe module. Sometimes this is included. More often, it is sold as an upgrade option. There are also standalone CAM packages for lathe. Integrated CAD/CAM: Integrated CAD/CAM functionality makes it easy to move between design and manufacturing design. There is no need to import and export.iges,.stp, or other industry standard formats from CAD to CAM. The advantages are increased productivity and a one-stop spot for software support. The disadvantage is it forces you to commit to one provider for all your software. 4th-axis CAM generated tool path from SprutCAM 7 Pro with complete machine tool simulation Integrated CAD/CAM makes a lot of sense if you plan to do both design and manufacture prototyping, fixture design, etc. It makes it easy to move back and forth between CAD and CAM as you implement design changes. You won t need to start from anew in CAM for every minor design tweak. So why not consider Integrated CAD/CAM? For one, they tend to offer less CAM functionality than a dedicated CAM package at the same price. If you plan to do less design work or choose only to work with stable designs, you ll get more for your money with dedicated CAM. Different CAM machining strategies are available at different product levels. SprutCAM7 Pro has over 40 unique strategies

7 Machining Strategies: One key way that CAM packages differentiate themselves is by the number and complexity of the machining methods included in the software. A simple CAM program may offer only a few methods- Roughing and Finishing, for example. More sophisticated CAM programs have much larger libraries. SprutCAM, for example, has over 40 different strategies: Waterline, Plane, Drive, 5D Contouring, and many more. Simulation and Visualization: Some systems have only basic simulation screens that display only the workpiece. Others have sophisticated environments that let you visualize not only the workpiece, but the cutting tools, tool holders, vise, fixturing clamps, and even the entire machine tool. These capabilities can be quite useful, especially for more complicated jobs.

8 More Information on CAD and CAM Solutions available from Tormach SprutCAM Pro for Tormach SprutCAM Pro is a full-featured CAM system with over 40 unique programming strategies for 2D, 2.5D, and 3D machining. It also includes modules for lathe and continuous 4 th axis programming, making it an ideal CAM solution for integrating the Tormach 4 th -axis or Duality Lathe on a PCNC mill system. SprutCAM features an advanced simulation environment that allows complete system modeling. Tool paths can be simulated with not only cutting tools and workpieces, but also fixturing, toolholders, and, not to mention, complete machine tools. SprutCAM Pro can be used for multi-sided complex machining. SprutCAM can import 3D models from a variety of neutral CAD formats, including DXF, IGS, and STL. It can also integrate with several popular CAD systems as a direct exporter plug-in to SolidWorks and Alibre. Tormach provides end-user support for SprutCAM products via onsite technical staff. This service is available M-F from 8AM to 5PM Central time via phone and . Tormach also has a library of tutorials and other self-teaching resources available. In addition, periodic instructional workshops are held at Tormach s training center in Wisconsin, USA. Complete Machine Tool simulation is available in SprutCAM Pro Tormach PCNC owners are eligible for special, OEM negotiated SprutCAM Pro pricing that is equal to more than 50% off list price. This Tormach version includes only postprocessor support for PCNC mills. An All-Post version that has all other postprocessors unlocked is also available at a discounted, albeit

9 slightly higher price for owners that would like to use SprutCAM to program other CNC machines besides those made by Tormach. Purchase of either of these options includes a 1-year support contract from Tormach. Vectric CAM Vectric CAM products are affordable, innovative software solutions for your CNC machine. Vectric's products win high marks for usability. With easy-to-use interfaces and simple presentation, Vectric's CAM solutions are great choices for both beginning and experienced CAM users. Vectric produces a family of CAM products. Of these, the most popular with Tormach owners are Cut2D and Cut3D. Cut2D is a simple to use 2D and 2.5D CAM package with programming strategies for profiling, pocketing, and hole-making (drilling). Cut2D is an excellent choice for simple jobs and for those with no previous CAD/CAM experience. Cut 2D can quickly create tool paths for simple 2D parts such as this filter plate. Cut2D has a limited selection of drawing tools available. It can import popular 2D neutral CAD formats such as DXF and DWG, as well as Adobe Illustrator and several other vector drawing formats. The Cut2D postprocessor is limits each part program to a single tool. Cut3D is a specialty CAM package for carving and rapid prototyping of complex 3D shapes. Cut3D is very easy to use, but limited to simple roughing and finishing strategies using a raster tool path strategy. Cut 3D uses simple programming techniques to carve out complex 3D models This make it best suited for plastic, wood, and other easy-to-cut materials. It cannot be used to program drilling or pocketing, among other common machine strategies Cut3D can import many popular 3D solid model formats, including IGS, STP, and STL. It also can be used for multi-sided machining by incorporating a 4 th axis or indexing head.

10 Other products from Vectric include VCarve Pro and Aspire, professional quality CAM systems for 2D and 3D relief carving, and Photo VCarve, a specialty CAM system for converting photographs in to Z- level carved images. Tormach is a Vectric reseller. We offer limited support of Vectric products. Vectric has a very large installed user base and maintains an active User forum Alibre CAD/CAM Alibre makes powerful, affordable, and easy-to-learn parametric CAD/CAM software that's within anyone's budget and integrates easily with Tormach PCNC Mills Alibre Design PE is the entrylevel version and suited well for as 3D modeling tool for creating part models to be used with SprutCAM or any other 3D CAM system. The Tormach Special Edition of this product is available to PCNC owners and includes neutral CAD format exporting options that are not available in the regular version of Alibre Design PE. Integrated CAD/CAM such as Alibre Design Expert +AlibreCAM automatically updates tool paths when a small change in desing is made. Alibre is also available in two higher product levels: Alibre Design Professional and Alibre Design Expert. These versions additional feature modules, including Sheet Metal Design, FEA, Print-making, Direct model editing, and more. Alibre Design Expert also includes a very basic integrated CAM package, Alibre CAM, with several 2.5D and 3D strategies. This CAM package is developed by MecSoft, the uses the same software engine as MecSoft s standalone CAM package, Visual Mill. Additional AlibreCAM levels are available as well as add-ons to Alibre Design Expert. Tormach provides limited support of Alibre Products. Optional support contracts and training materials are available from Alibre at additional cost. Alibre also maintains an active user forum.

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